Description
Comforting Southern smothered chicken and rice delivers a hearty embrace of rich, creamy gravy and tender chicken nestled over fluffy rice. Generations of home cooks have perfected this soulful dish that wraps you in warmth and satisfies deep hunger with each delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Starches:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion
- 2 bell peppers
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup celery
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika, ensuring even coating on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and developing a rich caramelized exterior.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, then in the same pan, melt butter and sauté diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add long-grain white rice to the skillet, stirring to coat grains with vegetable mixture and allow slight toasting for enhanced flavor, about 2 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, gently stirring to combine rice and vegetables, then nestle seared chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil and transfer to preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and drizzle heavy cream over the dish, allowing it to create a luxurious, creamy sauce that coats the chicken and rice.
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
Notes
- Prevent rice from becoming mushy by using long-grain rice and not stirring too much during cooking.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of white wine or using homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with turkey breasts or boneless thighs for varied texture and taste.
- Create a lighter version by replacing heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for reduced calories and added nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg